DEC seeks input on future of Morgan Hill State Forest

Hikers, cross-country skiers and nature-lovers probably already know this: Fabius and adjacent Cortland County are home to 7,346 acres of state forest and unique lands.

The state is looking for ideas about what should happen with those acres over the next 20 years. It will hold a meeting to talk about that from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 30 at the Tully Junior-Senior High School, 5850 Route 80, Tully.

The land in question is Morgan Hill and Kettlebail state forests and the Labrador Hollow Unique Area, all gorgeous retreats a short drive from Syracuse.

For the first time, the state Department Environmental Conservation is putting together a 20 year management plan for the area, which is calls the "Hill and Hollow Unit." Diane Carlton, DEC regional spokeswoman, said the plan will shape the future use of the areas.

"If it is not in the plan, it is not going to happen," Carlton said.
The plan will be used to manage the property and to secure funding for projects written into the plan, she said.

"They are heavily used areas so we really would like to have some input from the public in terms of what they'd like to see happen in the future," Carlton said.